4,533 Posts
4 Articles; 7,907 Posts
49 Posts
7,255 Posts
1,066 Posts
5,879 Posts
Good Samaritan Law. I usually will intervene depending on the age-child/geri; it's a moral and ethical decision.
Regarding nurses and the Good Samaritan Law:
Providing care in a nonemergency - say, helping a diabetic neighbor with a routine insulin injection - is not protected.2,3
The laws vary from state to state; however, the basic premise is healthcare providers who act in good faith are protected, but those who injure patients as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct are not. The care provided must be rendered free of charge. And finally, once emergency aid is offered, there is a legal duty to remain with the victim until he or she is stable or another provider with equivalent or higher training provides relief. Otherwise, there could be a charge of abandonment.2-4
Liabilities of Responding
Good Samaritan laws pertain to care rendered in emergency situations only. These situations are defined as accidents, disasters or any unanticipated catastrophes that carry an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. These laws do not cover health advice given by a provider to a friend or relative; in these situations, the healthcare provider must abide by their respective standards of care.5
218 Posts
2,352 Posts
1 Article; 7,349 Posts
3,358 Posts
JustBeachyNurse, LPN
13,952 Posts
That situation? Just watch. I only intervene if someone may be inflicting harm (ie telling someone with a likely cspine injury or obvious fracture to walk it off). Perhaps call 911